Photographer's Note

Another one in the series of images showing the lit up Temple inner walls. Everyday there's a ceremony when the Lord's miniature image is mounted on an Elephant (Thidambu) with a Mahout sitting on top of the Elephant holding it from behind. If you google for the word "Thidambu" you will find a few images of how it looks.

The Elephant is decorated with ornaments like "Nettipattam", again you will find images on google for this and most often brought by Tourist as souvenirs from Kerala. The procession is led by a Temple "Melam" which is nothing but a traditional art form of Kerala. Almost every Temple in Kerala has this tradition, but depending upon the Temple's income varies whether the Priest himself carries it or is carried on an Elephant. I've no known information about any other way its done.

This is an everyday ritual that happens 3 times in a day wherein the Lord is carried on this decorated Elephant with this procession, sometimes accompanied by two other Elephants making it a total of three. They are generally called "Seeveli" but have different names for the ones happening at different times of the day. The one that happens in the night before the Temple closes is called "Athazha Seeveli"

All this happens in a space between the Outer and Inner Walls. Photography is allowed only a little distance away from the Outer walls and has to be done through the open doors and even when we do this, the Guards and Policemen prevent us from Photographing the Temple procession or the Elephants passing.

Thank you for you nice comments on my whale photo. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I'm travelling.

This is a very lovely shot, and not a very easy shot with the low light. Iove the glows of this candles in the dark room, give a sense of hope and nostalgic quality. The faint details of the people also gives a nice touch and making a very nice and poetic image of the place full of atmosphere. Thank you.

This deserved much more. I was surpris to see many viewed but no comment. I don't understand?